CSC2

Thank you for your interest. Our 2019 program is now concluded. Please check back soon for future information.

CSC2 is a young company of actors that works with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company to further develop skills in classical acting through performance, artistic and professional development, and through different educational and coaching settings. The ensemble is built of twelve, non-equity, early-career actors with some professional experience.

CSC2 actors are paid a monthly stipend to help defray expenses and free dormitory housing may be available for out-of-town actors from June to August.

The ideal candidate for CSC2 will be interested in furthering their own training, mentorship/coaching, and occasionally acting as a representative of CSC to our stakeholders. No actors enrolled in any kind of undergraduate or graduate program in the Spring of 2019 will be seen at auditions. CSC is not able to enlist any AEA actor into the CSC2 program.

April-June

In the spring, CSC2 actors will work as a cohort, learning form a diverse cast of peers, to perform one of Shakespeare’s plays for a middle and high school audience at the Carling-Sorenson Theater at Babson College in Wellesley, MA. These performances, CSC’s Stage2 series may be supplemented with participation in classroom visits, workshops, and post-show talk backs for attending schools.

June-August

During the summer, CSC2 will perform with our equity company in small and ensemble roles for CSC’s signature presentation of Free Shakespeare on the Boston Common. Each member of CSC2 will also be assigned an understudy role within this productions. In addition, as part of a summer mentor ship program, CSC2 actors will work with our Apprentice Company of undergraduate-level actors in workshops in heightened language, and by facilitating weekly monologue coaching sessions.

Performance Opportunities

The cast of Macbeth, CSC2, 2018.

Romeo & Juliet at Babson College in Wellesley: This production will be performed by CSC2 and consist of six student matinees and one community performance. Rehearsals will primarily run Mon-Thurs, 10am-4pm starting April 16 with a final performance on May 31.

Cymbeline: Free Shakespeare on the Boston Common. Rehearsals will typically be scheduled Tuesday through Sunday. A daily call will be sent to all actors the night before. This show will rehearse at Babson College in Wellesley with technical rehearsals and performances outdoors on the Boston Common in the heart of the city. CSC2 actors have the option to earn 7 EMC points for their work on this production. Most members of CSC2 will also understudy at least one role in Cymbeline.

Auditions

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for CSC2. Our 2019 Open Call is now complete. Auditions for the 2020 company will be posted in late summer/early fall 2019. We encouraged non-Equity actors interested in working with CSC to learn more about our Apprentice Program.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is an equal opportunity employer. Actors of all genders, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to audition and apply.

Testimonials

Eliott Purcell

2013 Apprentice Alumnus, , 2015 CSC2 Company Member, Shakespeare on the Common 2013, Two Gentlemen of Verona (Ensemble), Shakespeare on the Common 2015, King Lear (Soldier), Old Money (Ovid & Tobias)

Michael Underhill

“The experience included intensive rehearsal & performance time, teaching artist opportunities, and the chance to learn and disseminate the Shakespearean text theory that defines the CSC performance style. In addition to all of this – I have gained an invaluable asset in 11 wonderful artistic soulmates who joined me on the four-month CSC2 journey and with whom, I have no doubt, I will be crossing paths and collaborating with for the rest of my theatrical career. CSC has meant so much to me as a young professional and an actor. To find a mission that aligns so closely with my own, and to find professionals who care about their craft – I just feel very, very lucky.”

Billy Saunders, Jr.

“My four months with CSC2 were such a fruitful experience for myself as an actor, creator, human, and friend. I was lucky enough to be part of an ensemble of eleven other actors that were passionate, excited, ambitious, and fearless when it came to the work/the process, and I’m glad to say that the 12 of us are now lifelong friends/collaborators because of it. Working with the Apprentices pushed me to not only be a better coach, but also shaped my artistic process and shined light on skills I didn’t know I had. And, of course, being on the Boston Common in front of thousands of people is something you just can’t beat. ”

Kaci Hamilton

“My summer with CSC2 was the experience of a lifetime! I affectionately refer to it as “Shakespeare Boot Camp”, because every day we dove deeper and deeper into the techniques and skills required to lift the text off the page and drive it into our bodies. With every experience, from rehearsals, to mentoring the Apprentices, to projecting my voice to the thousands who showed up every night on the Common, I learned so much about not only my process and the work, but also about being a working actor. I treasure my time and the friends I made with CSC2, and I know that I am forever spoiled by the inclusive, fun-loving, and professional environment they created.”

Sarah Mass

2017 Alumna; 2013 Apprentice Alumna; CSC’s 2017 reading of Fear and Misery in the Third Reich,
CSC’s 2018 production of Blue Kettle and Here We Go

“Getting to work with like-minded artists as an ensemble for 6 months is a very special privilege. CSC2 gave me not only friendships that I cherish, but also an opportunity to create art built upon those friendships. As members of the CSC2 Company, we supported each other in our growth as artists and connected as young actors facing the same challenges while building our careers. Plus, getting to perform with your company on the Boston Common for the whole city to experience I can only describe as magical.”

Arisael Rivera

2016 and 2015 CSC2 Alumnus; Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the Hatch Shell with Boston Landmarks Orchestra,2015; Dull in Love’s Labor’s Lost, Free Shakespeare on the Common, 2016

“My experience with CSC2 was a fantastic one, especially when working on the CSC2 production of Romeo & Juliet. We were given the artistic freedom to play with these characters and make them our own, while also challenging us to remain true to the text. The attention to detail concerning language and intention was a true class in not only performing Shakespeare, but performing in general. Work was hard but the audience’s response made it all worth it. I’ll cherish those moments with my fellow CSC2 actors. Also, performing King Lear on the big stage on Boston Common was an epic experience.”